HC grants bail to MLA Jagadev

Cuttack: The vacation bench of Orissa high court granted bail to Prasanta Jagadev, the newly elected Khurda MLA, who was arrested on May 26 for allegedly vandalizing an EVM in Bolagad block’s Kaunripatna during polling on May 25.
As per the complaint, Jagdev had to apparently wait in line for a long time to cast his vote due to a malfunction in the voting machine, allegedly triggering his anger.
Justice Sashikanta Mishra, while granting regular bail on Wednesday, observed, “After going through the FIR, this court finds that the allegations are omnibus in nature in as much as what exactly the petitioner did have not been specified except stating in general terms that he misbehaved with the polling officer and a female voter. Moreover, the identity of said female voter has also not been stated.”
He added, “Taking into consideration the nature of allegations as also the above facts, I am inclined to allow the prayer for bail. Let the petitioner be released on bail on such terms and conditions as deemed just and proper by the court below.”
Jagadev had been granted interim bail for three days from June 9 by the court of additional judicial magistrate, Khurda. That bail has now been regularised.
Senior Advocate Pitambar Acharya, representing Jagadev, argued that the allegations were politically motivated and non-specific in nature.
State counsel P Tripathy opposed the bail, asserting that Jagadev had forcibly entered the polling booth with supporters, causing disturbance to the polling process.